Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Contextual Determinants of Induced Abortion: A Panel Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Analyze the contextual
and individual characteristics that explain the differences in the induced
abortion rate, temporally and territorially.

METHODS

We conducted an
econometric analysis with panel data of the influence of public investment in
health and per capita income on induced abortion as well as a measurement of
the effect of social and economic factors related to the labor market and
reproduction: female employment, immigration, adolescent fertility and marriage
rate. The empirical exercise was conducted with a sample of 22 countries in
Europe for the 2001-2009 period.

RESULTS

The great territorial
variability of induced abortion was the result of contextual and individual
socioeconomic factors. Higher levels of national income and investments in
public health reduce its incidence. The following sociodemographic
characteristics were also significant regressors of induced abortion: female
employment, civil status, migration, and adolescent fertility.

CONCLUSIONS

Induced abortion
responds to sociodemographic patterns, in which the characteristics of each
country are essential. The individual and contextual socioeconomic inequalities
impact significantly on its incidence. Further research on the relationship
between economic growth, labor market, institutions and social norms is
required to better understand its transnational variability and to reduce its
incidence.